(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Chinese consumers are exposed to thousands of ads daily — only the most creative and culturally sharp ones break through. In 2025, overseas brands that understand emerging trends and execute them flawlessly are seeing exponential growth on Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and WeChat. Here are the five trends you cannot ignore.
1. AI-Powered Hyper-Personalized Creatives
1.1 Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) at Scale Use AI platforms to generate thousands of ad variations tailored to user interests, city tier, and even weather. Brands testing 100+ creative versions per campaign see 40–60% higher CTR than static ads.
1.2 Deepfake & Virtual Idol Ambassadors Create virtual influencers that speak perfect Mandarin and embody Chinese aesthetic preferences. These digital ambassadors never age, never cause scandals, and can appear in unlimited content pieces.
2. Immersive AR & Metaverse Experiences
2.1 WeChat Mini-Program AR Try-Ons Launch branded AR filters inside WeChat that go beyond simple try-on — add gamification, social sharing, and direct purchase. Conversion from AR interaction to sale can reach 25%.
2.2 Virtual Pop-Up Stores in Dewu & Xiaohongshu Build 3D virtual flagship stores where users explore, interact with products, and buy instantly. Early adopters report 300% longer session times compared to traditional e-commerce pages.
3. Meme Marketing & Internet Subculture Mastery
3.1 Ride “Bense” (Native Style) Internet Language Incorporate current slang, memes, and “bense” humor that only Chinese netizens understand. Brands that successfully execute meme marketing become part of internet culture overnight.
3.2 Collaborate with Bilibili UP Creators Partner with animation, gaming, and ACG creators who command fiercely loyal Gen-Z audiences. A single well-placed Bilibili campaign can generate millions in earned media.
4. Social Commerce + Entertainment Fusion
4.1 “Shoppertainment” Live Stream Shows Turn product launches into variety shows with celebrity hosts, games, and real-time flash sales. The most successful streams feel like entertainment first, shopping second.
Case Study: American Sportswear Giant’s Bilibili Breakthrough
A leading U.S. sportswear brand wanted to reach Gen-Z beyond traditional sports marketing. PLTFRM designed a campaign around Bilibili’s “ghost animal” remix culture, launching a virtual idol “Runner Ling” who spoke fluent internet slang. We released an interactive music video where users could remix the track and unlock exclusive sneakers. The campaign reached #1 trending on Bilibili within 12 hours, generated 42 million plays, and sold 30,000 limited pairs in 30 minutes — marking the brand’s fastest sell-out in China history.
PLTFRM is an international brand consulting agency that works with companies such as Red, TikTok, Tmall, Baidu, and other well-known Chinese internet e-commerce platforms. We have been working with Chile Cherries for many years, reaching Chinese consumers in depth through different platforms and realizing that Chile Cherries’ exports in China account for 97% of the total exports in Asia. Contact us, and we will help you find the best China e-commerce platform for you. Search PLTFRM for a free consultation!
